Suspect arrested following foot chase in El Centro

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) - The El Centro Police Department (ECPD) said a suspect was arrested following a foot chase over Labor Day weekend.

In a Facebook post, ECPD responded to the area of Ocotillo Drive, near Imperial Avenue, after receiving reports of an assault with a deadly weapon.

ECPD said the victim told them "a suspect had brandished a firearm" and made threats to kill them.

"We received a call at a local barbershop regarding an individual who made threats to the victim.  And during that encounter, the suspect pointed a handgun at the victim, and that's when he threatened to cause harm to the victim," Sgt. Miguel Garrido told KYMA.

Once officers were told the suspect's description and associated vehicle, ECPD said they searched the area for the suspect, locating the vehicle near Bucklin Park.

ECPD said officers found the suspect's vehicle at Bucklin Park, and said they saw the suspect exiting the vehicle and walking into the park.

However, when the suspect saw the approaching officers, ECPD said he ran, prompting officers to maintain communication and provide updates on the suspect's movement.

"He gave a foot chase, put out a good direction of travel for the suspect.  Assisting officers were able to establish a quick perimeter and encountered him on the northwest side of Buckland Park, which would be close to 12th and Ross in the West Alley of the park. And he surrendered peacefully, which is what we wanted," Sgt. Garrido said.

After additional units caught the suspect, ECPD said he was "safely detained and taken into custody without further incident," and said officers found a loaded illegal firearm.

The suspect was booked into the Imperial County Jail on the following felony charges:

• Brandishing a firearm
• Assault with a deadly weapon involving a firearm
• Child abuse
• Resisting arrest
• Illegal possession of large capacity magazine
• Carrying a concealed firearm
• Possession of methamphetamine
• Possession of drug paraphernalia